Area Animal Protective League makes room for hurricane-displaced pups

DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) - Several cages at the Cleveland Animal Protective League won't be empty for long -- employees at the shelter are making the trip to Pittsburgh to meet employees from a South Carolina shelter.

Sharon Harvey, with the League, says they got a call from the Humane Society of the United States.

"Right now with rivers cresting, there are animals in shelters that are at risk and animals in homes that are at risk that those local shelters are trying to help," Harvey said.

More than a dozen dogs from the flooded region that were waiting to be adopted before Hurricane Matthew hit will soon call Cleveland home, so that the South Carolina shelter can make room for displaced animals affected by the storm.

"When animals and people are facing this kind of catastrophic devastation, we certainly want to be top of mind for folks to be able to reach out to for help," said Harvey.

Helping in a time of need and hoping future pet owners step up to help find other dogs homes.

"We hope the people will come in and adopt and not only help us with these animals that are coming in as a result of the devastation, but the animals that we have here every single day that are waiting for homes," explained Harvey.

The dogs will be vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and then be ready for adoption within a week or so. The League also encourages people to adopt other animals in the shelter.